Retainer assembly for securing a covering on a tubular member



April 30, 1963 F. c. OROURKE RETAINER ASSEMBLY FOR SECURING'A COVERING ON A TUBULAR MEMBER Filed July 29, '1960 a z m smiwssswww a e m m/ m 0 y A a 4 a m w United States Patent 3,087,513 RETAINER ASSEMBLY FOR SECURING A COVER- ING ON A TUBULAR MEMBER Fred C. ORourke, Harvey, La., assignor to Plastic Applicators, Inc., a corporation of Texas Filed July 29, 1960, Ser. No. 46,194 3 Claims. (Cl. 138-409) The present invention relates to a retainer assembly for securing concentric tubular members in position on an elongated tubular member.

Quite often in the drilling of an oil or gas well, a plurality of producing strata or formations is uncovered. In order to recover the maximum amount of oil from the well, it is desirable to produce oil from any formation which indicates that it can produce oil or gas in commercial quantity. In order to flow the well fluid to the earths surface from the various formations an outer casing is provided in the well bore and conduits are arranged within the casing for communicating separately with each producing formation to convey the well fluids to the earths surface.

It can be appreciated that any conduits which extend to producing formations in the well bore located below the upper producing formation is exposed to the action of the producing fluid from all the formations in the well bore thereabove. Quite often the oil and gas fluids enter the casing with substantial velocity which tends to cut out the conduits which are exposed to the well fluids as they enter the casing. The cutting action of the well fluids in some situations necessitates repair and replacement of the conduit or tubing at frequent intervals.

In order to overcome this problem, a protective covering such as that disclosed in U.S. Letters Patent 2,925,- 097 has been provided for the conduits which solves the above problem quite satisfactorily.

It is desirable to secure the protective covering on the tubular member in a manner so as to firmly lock or secure the protective covering on the tubular member, but which permits the removal of such protective covering from the tubular member with a minimum of effort. It can be appreciated that the protective covering must be firmly positioned on the conduit or well tubing in order to inhibit longitudinal movement of such protective covering on the conduit. Protective coverings of the type disclosed in the above referred to patent have normally been secured to well pipe by means of welding. Even protective coverings eventually become worn or eroded and must be replaced. The device of the present invention provides a retainer means which may be quickly and easily removed thereby permitting the worn covering to be readily removed and a new covering to be quickly placed on the well pipe and firmly locked in position thereon. Such removal and replacement of the covering is accomplished without any damage to the well pipe or conduit.

The present invention is directed to aretainer assembly for securing concentric tubular members on another tubular member to enable them to be firmly locked on the tubular member, but which facilitates removal of the concentric tubular covering when desired.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from a consideration of the following description and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is fragmentary sectional view showing an enlargcd end portion of a tubular member with the present invention positioned thereon for securing concentric tubular members about the tubular member;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view showing an enlarged portion of a tubular member with another modiiication of the present invention positioned thereon for 3,087,513 Patented Apr. 30, 1.963

securing concentric tubular members about the tubular member; and

,FIG. 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 of FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the device of the present invention is illustrated as being used to retain a protective covering, of the type disclosed in US. (Patent :No. 2,925,097, on tubing positioned in a well string and is indicated generally at 4. The retainer assembly 4 includes the upper retainer ring 5, the lower lock ring 6, V

and a pair of semi cylindrical or annular segments 7 and 8, the details of which will be described hereinafter.

The proetctive covering or concentric tubular member, indicated .generally at 10, consists of a ceramic shell 11 or the like with a plurality of cushioning members 12 secured internally and externally on the ceramic shell and an outer protective member 13 covering the outer cushioning members 12.

The retainer ring 5, on its upper end 5a, has a plurality of annular vertically extending and longitudinally spaced. 'end faces 51) and 50 for abutting the concentric tubular member 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1 the end face 5b abuts the tubular covering or ceramic shell 11 while the end face So abuts the end portion of the outer protective shell 13. It should also be noted that the faces 5b and 5c are longitudinally spaced relative to each other, so that the retainer end portion 5a is in effect stepped.

The retainer ring 5 as an inner diameter at end 5a larger than the diameter of the tubular member 14 on which the ring 5 is positioned and an inner diameter at end 5d larger than the inner diameter at end 5a thereby providing an annular sloping or tapered surface Se in the ring 5 in spaced relation to the tubular member 14.

The outer surface of the ring 5 adjacent the end Ed is threaded as indicated at 5 and is adapted to engage the inner threaded surface 6a of the lock ring 6. The retainer ring 5 has an annular face 5g which abuts with the end face 6b of the lock ring 6 with the width of the face 5g being such that when the rings 5 and 6 are assembled together the outer surfaces Sit and 6c are in substantial alignment with each other.

To enable the rings 5 and 6' to be more readily gripped for facilitating assembling and disassembling, the outer surfaces 512 and 6c of the rings 5 and 6, respectively, are knurled or scored.

The lock ring 6 has an annular inner end surface ed for holding annular segments 7 and 8 in' the retainer ring 5 and locking ring '6. The inner surface 6e of thering 6 is spaced apart from the tubular member 14- and is substantially parallel thereto. the ring '6 below the knurled portion 61; is tapered inwardly at 6 The segments 7 and 8 are substantially identical and are adapted to fit within the retainer ring 5 and the lock ring 6. The inner surface 7a of the segment 7 is of substantially the same configuration as the outer surface 14a of the tubing 14 on which the segment 7 is adapted to be positioned. When the segments 7' and 8 are each positioned on the tubing 14-, a longitudinal gap or space 15 is formed between the adjacent edges 7b and 8b. This permits the segments 7 and 8 to be forced tightly on the tubing member 14-when the rings 5 and-6 are screwed tm 'gether and firmly secured on the segments 7 and 8.

The upper portions 70 of the segments 7 and 8 each has a tapered outer surface 7d which is adapted to fit. adjacent the inner annular surface 5e of the retainer ring 5 and which is substantially the same length as the surface 5e. The lower portion 7e has an outer annular surface 77 which is adapted to fit adjacent the inner surface 6e of the lock ring 6. The annular segments 7 and 8 each has an annular face 7g whichis adapted for seating on the :amiular inner face 6d of the lock ring 6. The end portions 7h of the segments 7 and 8 which extend below The outer surface of or beyond the lock ring 6 when the device 4 is positioned on the tubular member 14 have an inwardly tapering surface 7i. The overall construction of the device 4 is such that a relatively unobstructed outer surface is formed after the device 4 is secured on the tubular member 14 to retain the protective covering 10 in position. Hanging up or snagging of the retainer assembly 4 is thereby inhibited when moving the tubular member 14 longitudinally in a well hole or the like.

When the rings 5 and 6 are threaded or secured together with the segments 7 and 8 therein and all positioned on the tubular member 14, the segments 7 and 8 provide a wedging action which locks the ring assembly 4 on the member 14, thereby inhibiting longitudinal movement of the device 4 on the tubular member 14.

In using the device 4 as a retaining ring assembly for securing the protective covering 10 on the tubular member 14 in a well flow pipe, the retaining ring 5 is first placed on the member 14 from the male end 1412 of the member 14 with the threaded end 5d of the ring 5 being positioned facing the female or upset end 14c. The internal diameter of the ring 5 at the end portion 5a is smaller than the upset end 14c of the member 14, but larger than the male end 14b thereby permitting the ring 5 to be quickly and easily placed on the member 14 and retained thereon by the female end 14c. The covering 10 is then positioned on the tubing 14 in a manner well known in the art, after which the segments 7 and 8 are placed on the tubing 14 and within the ring 5 with the surface 7d of the segments 7 and 8 adjacent the surface 5e of the ring 5. The lock ring 6, the internal diameter of which is just sufiiciently greater than the outside diameter of the upset end 14c to easily slide thereover, is positioned over the end 14c, on to the tubing 14 and over segments 7 and 8. The ring 6 is then tightened or threaded onto the retaining ring 5, thus firmly wedging the device 4 on the tubing 14 thereby inhibiting longitudinal movement of the device 4 on the tubing 14.

With the device 4 secured in its lower position, a second device 4 is secured on the tubing 14 above the covering 10, thereby locking the covering 10 securely in position on the member 14.

Variations in the installation procedure may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, however the face 5b of the ring 5 should abut the covering 10 and the face 7k of the members 7 and 8 should also abut the covering 10.

FIG. 2 of the drawings illustrates another embodiment 104 of the present invention wherein the retaining ring 5 is substantially the same as the retaining ring 5 in the FIG. 1 device and the ring 5 is similarly lettered in each figure. Parts of the embodiment 104 which are similar to parts of the device 4 are identified by similar members except that the numbers identifying the device 104 are in the 100 series.

Substantially identical segments 107 and 108 (not seen) are similar to the portions 70 of the segments 7 and 8 of the FIG. 1 form. Also, the arcuate segments 107 and 108 (not seen) are substantially the length of the surface 52 of the ring 5, and the surface 107d of the segments 107 and 108 is adjacent to such surface 5e.

The locking ring 106 is threaded internally at 106a similarly to the member 6 at 6a for receiving the threaded portion 5 of the retaining ring 5. The exterior of the locking ring 106 is substantially like that of the retaining ring 5, with the ring 106 having annular faces 106m and 106n. corresponding to annular faces 5b and 5c, respectively. The inner seating surface 106d extends internally to the tubing 14 with the annular surface 106p adjacent the tubing 14. The wedges or annular segments 107 and 108 in effect are seated on the annular face 106d of the locking ring 106.

The device 104 is used in a similar manner to that of the device 4 as explained above. The ring 5 is positioned on the tubing 14 as before while the segments 107 and 108 are placed in the ring 5 and on the tubing 14 in much the same fashion as the segments 7 and 8. The locking ring 106 is also secured in the ring 5 similarly to the locking ring 6.

Although the device of the present invention has been illustrated as a retaining assembly for a protective covering on well tubing, it can be appreciated that the device may be used whenever it is desired to retain one concentric tubing member over another tubing member.

The device of the present invention provides a retainer assembly which may be quickly and easily assembled on a tubular member to hold another concentric tubular member or covering thereon and which may be readily removed therefrom. Worn out coverings or the like may be quickly replaced as necessary or desired and the device of the present invention may be continually used to retain new coverings or the like.

Broadly the invention relates to a retainer assembly for securing coverings over tubular members.

What is claimed is:

1. A retainer assembly for positioning concentric tubular members on a tubular member comprising, a retainer ring for fitting about a tubular member and having a pair of annular vertical 'end faces for abutting concentric tubular members to be retained by the assembly, said retainer ring having an inner diameter at one end larger than the outer diameter of the tubular member on which it is positioned, said retainer ring having an inner diameter at its other end larger than the diameter on said first end to thereby provide an annular sloping surface in said retainer ring in spaced relation to the tubular member on which the ring is positioned, a threaded outer surface on said ring adjacent the end of said ring opposite said vertical end faces, annular segments fitting Within said ring and having one surface for engaging the tubular member on which said retainer ring is positioned and an outer annular tapered surface abutting the sloping surface in said retainer ring, and a lock ring having an inner threaded surface adjacent one end for engaging the outer threaded surface on said retainer ring, an annular inner end surface on said lock ring for holding said segments in said retainer ring, said lock ring adapted to threadedly engage said retainer ring and hold said retainer ring in engagement with the concentric tubular members and to retain said segments within the assembly to engage the surface of the tubular member.

2. A retainer assembly for securing concentric tubular members on a tubular member including a retainer ring having stepped vertical end surfaces for abutting the concentric tubular members, a portion of reduced diameter on said ring, an upstanding end surface on said portion, a threaded surface on said portion extending from said upstanding end surface to the other end of said ring, a tapered surface portion on said ring extending from said retainer end having said stepped surfaces and sloping outwardly toward the other end of said ring, tapered segments for abutting said tapered ring surface and for securing said ring against the concentric tubular members and on the tubular member, and a lock ring for locking said retainer ring and segments against the concentric tubular members and on the tubular member.

3. The combination recited in claim 2 including a threaded inner surface on said lock ring, an upstanding end surface on said ring at the termination of said threaded surface for engaging said upstanding surface adjacent said threaded surface on said retainer ring to aid in securing said retainer ring and lock ring together.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,335,558 Young Nov. 30, 1943 2,835,497 Suh-ner May 20, 1958 2,925,097 Duesterberg Feb. 16, 1960 

1. A RETAINER ASSEMBLY FOR POSITIONING CONCENTRIC TUBULAR MEMBERS ON A TUBULAR MEMBER COMPRISING, A RETAINER RING FOR FITTING ABOUT A TUBULAR MEMBER AND HAVING A PAIR OF ANNULAR VERTICAL END FACES FOR ABUTTING CONCENTRIC TUBULAR MEMBERS TO BE RETAINED BY THE ASSEMBLY, SAID RETAINER RING HAVING AN INNER DIAMETER AT ONE END LARGER THAN THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE TUBULAR MEMBER ON WHICH IT IS POSITIONED, SAID RETAINER RING HAVING AN INNER DIAMETER AT ITS OTHER END LARGER THAN THE DIAMETER ON SAID FIRST END TO THEREBY PROVIDE AN ANNULAR SLOPING SURFACE IN SAID RETAINER RING IN SPACED RELATION TO THE TUBULAR MEMBER ON WHICH THE RING IS POSITIONED, A THREADED OUTER SURFACE ON SAID RING ADJACENT THE END OF SAID RING OPPOSITE SAID VERTICAL END FACES, ANNULAR SEGMENTS FITTING WITHIN SAID RING AND HAVING ONE SURFACE FOR ENGAGING THE TUBULAR MEMBER ON WHICH SAID RETAINER RING IS POSITIONED AND AN OUTER ANNULAR TAPERED SURFACE ABUTTING THE SLOPING SURFACE IN SAID RETAINER RING, AND A LOCK RING HAVING AN INNER THREADED SURFACE ADJACENT ONE END FOR ENGAGING THE OUTER THREADED SURFACE ON SAID RETAINER RING, AN ANNULAR INNER END SURFACE ON SAID LOCK RING FOR HOLDING SAID SEGMENTS IN SAID RETAINER RING, SAID LOCK RING ADAPTED TO THREADEDLY ENGAGE SAID RETAINER RING AND HOLD SAID RETAINER RING IN ENGAGEMENT WITH THE CONCENTRIC TUBULAR MEMBERS AND TO RETAIN SAID SEGMENTS WITHIN THE ASSEMBLY TO ENGAGE THE SURFACE OF THE TUBULAR MEMBER. 